Yesterday, the Dunedin City Council confirmed the applicant behind plans to demolish the 103-year-old Edmund Anscombe-designed house in Stuart St and a protected tree beside it that was up to 100 years old had decided to put the process on hold.
It was proposed that after the demolition, a multistorey residential complex with about 30 apartments would then be built on the site by the applicant, Elim Group.
The proposal received nearly 100 submissions, and the vast majority were against it. Many expressed concern about the design of the project and the potential loss of heritage and the tree.
Engineer and heritage advocate Stephen MacKnight said he was "crossing his fingers" the decision to put the application on hold was good news.
"It’s promising, probably, until we hear from the developer.
"They could be trying to tweak the application. I wouldn't celebrate just yet."
Part of the issue was the fact that for many inner-city sites with older buildings, the land was worth far more than the property, he said.
"The building could be developed into a really good space, even as commercial or incorporated apartment development.
"We don't want to see these buildings neglected or unused, but we do want to see them retain their character.
"There are plenty of options, I think."
The house is not listed on either the city council’s heritage schedule or Heritage New Zealand’s list of historic sites.
However, the adjacent tree is listed on the council’s schedule as a significant tree.
Southern Heritage Trust chairwoman Jo Galer was "delighted" the proposal had been put on hold.
She said there was now the opportunity to have a wider discussion about heritage "reuse" and classing more sites as significant to the city and country’s heritage.
"I don't think we're out of the woods yet.
"We need to lobby the council to change its planning rules so this sort of fiasco doesn't happen again."
There were many heritage buildings that had not been listed on the council’s district plan, she said.
"A historic property such as this had no protection of it. Now we have time to get protection for it, but the best case scenario would be the developers realising that these buildings can be reused, regardless of whether it has any protection hanging over it.
"It’s the right thing to do for Dunedin. These buildings are part of our character and who we are as a city."
Mr MacKnight said although the proposal had stirred up opposition, he felt it had inspired a wider discussion about the city’s heritage, and the best way to reuse it.
A city council spokesman said the applicant had requested that the processing of the application (which includes the scheduling of a hearing) be put on hold in accordance with Section 91A of the Resource Management Act.
Elim Group spokesman Allan Cubitt has been contacted for comment.
